A collapsible ironing board

Abstract: The invention relates to a collapsible ironing board, comprising a support frame (1) provided with a first (2) and a second (2') leg, which are hinged one to another about a horizontal axis (X), and a board (3) rotatably coupled to the frame (1) about the same axis (X). The board (3) is releasably blocked in a horizontal work position by means of a rod (4) hinged to the board (3) and slidable in a guide plate (5) constrained to the frame (1).

Description: The invention relates to a collapsible ironing board which can be erected and refolded particularly easily and rapidly. Ironing boards already on the market require the operator to use both hands in the erection and refolding operations, as well as to bend down and pull or compress the board and its legs. An example of such a boards is available from the document US-A-2 696 686. The present invention aims to obviate the above drawback, by providing an ironing board which is extremely easy and practical to erect and refold, and which does not require the operator to bend down. A board according to the invention is defined by the features of claim 1. Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will better emerge from the detailed description that follows, of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment here illustrated in the form of a non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which: figure 1 is a schematic lateral view of the board in a partially folded configuration; figure 2 is the lateral view of figure 1 in a different configuration; figure 3 is a schematic frontal view in the configuration of figure 2; figure 4 is a schematic perspective view in enlarged scale of a detail of the invention. With reference to the figures, 1 denotes a support frame comprising a first leg 2 and a second leg 2', each provided with two uprights connected by crossbars 11. The legs 2, 2' are connected one to another at upper ends by a pivot and are rotatable about a horizontal axis X. The rotations are at least comprised between a closed position of minimum frame 1 mass, wherein the legs 2, 2' are side-by-side, and an open position wherein the legs 2, 2' are splayed and the frame 1 can rest erect on them. The legs 2, 2' are immobilized in the open position by two support struts 9 pivoted by one end to the uprights of the first leg 2. Each strut 9 is provided with an oblong slot 10, in which one of the crossbars 11 of the second leg 2' is free to slide internally along. A board, constituting the ironing surface of the invention, is pivoted to the frame 1 and is rotatable about axis X; further, it is conformed such as to have its centre of gravity positioned at the axis X, so that the rotation of the board is made easier. During rotation, the board 3 assumes at least two configurations: one in which it is folded (see figure 1) wherein it is associated with the first leg 2, and a work position (see figure 2) wherein it is horizontal. The stability of the board in the work position is guaranteed by a rod 4 hinged to an end of the board 3 and slidable internally of a guide plate 5 mounted idle on a horizontal shaft 7 hinged by its ends to the uprights of the first leg 2. A cam 6 is rigidly and coaxially connected to the shaft 7 and is arranged such that it is in contact with the rod 4. A command lever 8, perpendicular to and solid with the shaft 7, enables a manually-commanded rotation of the shaft 7 and the cam 6 so that the longer-radius zone of said cam 6 presses the rod 4 against the guide plate 5, achieving an immobilization of the rod 4 at a predetermined position, which is to say a work position, in which the board 3 is horizontal. In proximity of a hinging point, the rod 4 exhibits a bend 12 which, interacting with the cam 6, enables the rod 4 to assume a minimum-mass position, with the board 3 parallel to the first leg 2. In a further embodiment of the invention, not shown in the enclosed figures, the rod 4 can be constrained by being hinged by one end to the frame while at another end it is constrained to a runner mobile in guides predisposed on the board. Starting from the closed configuration, whereat the board and the second leg 2' are side-by-side with the first leg 2, the ironing board is opened as follows: a rotation of the second leg 2' about the first leg 2 up until the frame is open (figure 1); a rotation of the board 3, during which the rod 4 slides in the guide plate 5, up until the work position of the board is achieved (figure 2); a fixing of the board 3 in the above position by means of a command lever 8. The ironing board is refolded by reversing the order of the above operations. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims: A collapsible ironing board, comprising: a support frame (1) comprising at least a first leg (2) and a second leg (2'), said first (2) and second (2') legs being able to assume a first position in which they are splayed apart, and a second position in which said first (2) and second (2') legs are parallel and assume a flat, closed configuration; a board (3), rotatably coupled to the support frame (1); a rod (4) having one end associated to the board (3) and the other end associated to said first leg (2); leg immobilization means (9, 10) allowing free splaying and respectively closing of the legs (2, 2') and immobilization thereof in the predetermined position characterized in that each of said first (2) and second (2') legs are coupled to one another at their upper ends so as to be rotatable about a common horizontal axis (X); said board (3) is rotatably coupled to said support frame (1) at said horizontal axis (X); blocking means (5, 6) are further provided wherein the rod (4) is slideable internally of a guide between a first and a second leg position, said blocking means (5, 6) being selectively actuatable for blocking said rod (4) in a predetermined position. An ironing board as in claim 1, characterized in that the board (3) is conformed such as to have a centre of gravity on the horizontal axis (X). An ironing board as in claim 1, characterized in that each of the first leg (2) and second leg (2') comprises two uprights connected by crossbars (11). An ironing board according to claims 1 or 3, characterized in that said blocking means comprise a guide plate (5) and a cam (6), and in that command means (7, 8) for manually activating the cam (6) are further provided, said rod (4) being pivoted at an end thereof to the board (3) and internally engaged for sliding motion in said guide plate (5) which is constrained to said frame (1), said rod (4) being provided with a bend (12) predisposed in proximity of the end hinged to the board (3), and said cam (6) being rotatably coupled to the frame (1) and conformed and arranged such as to compress said rod (4) against said guide plate (5) at a predetermined cam radius zone. An ironing board as in claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the means for manually activating the cam (6) comprise: a shaft (7) rigidly supporting the cam (6), which shaft (7) has ends pivoted to the uprights of the first leg (2); said guide plate (5) being mounted idle on the shaft (7); and a command lever (8) solid and perpendicular to the shaft (7) which enables rotation of the shaft (7) and respectively of the cam (6) in the blocking position. An ironing board according to claim 1, characterized in that said rod (4) is constrained to an end thereof to a runner which is mobile in guides predisposed on said board (3). An ironing board according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said leg immobilization means (9, 10) comprise two support struts (9), each being pivoted to one end thereof to the uprights of the first leg (2) and provided with oblong slots (10) in which the crossbar (11) of the second leg (2') is free to slide internally along. A method for erecting in the work position and respectively folding a collapsible ironing board having the features claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising starting from the folded configuration: rotating the second leg (2') relatively to said first leg (2) up until the frame is open and the legs (2, 2') are immobilized by the leg immobilization means (9, 10); rotating the board (3) so that the rod (4) slides in said guide plate (5), up until the work position of the board is achieved; fixing the board (3) in the work position through actuation of the command lever (8); and carrying out the above operations in reverse order to refold the ironing board.

Inventors: PECORARI PIETRO, PECORARI, PIETRO
Applicants: NUOVA ROSSI S R L, NUOVA ROSSI S.R.L.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: D06F81
IPC codes: D06F81